Palmetto Cycling Coalition

Serving South Carolina communities by advocating at the state level for safe, connected mobility choices.

Palmetto Cycling Coalition is the only state-wide organization in South Carolina that advocates to improve safety for those that bike and walk. We work through partnership and collaboration to improve education, street design, and enforcement. In 2004, we drafted and helped pass the Safe Routes to School Act, which added did many things, most notably required establishing a Safe Routes to School team in each SC school. In 2008, we updated SC's bike laws, and then distributed 4 bike safety educational video-PSA's with a grant from SC Department of Public Safety. From 2015 - now, we have been active in the state legislature, successfully passing e-bike legislation, and continuing to elevate safe biking and walking legislative opportunities. In 2021, we successfully concluded a coalition campaign for a SCDOT Complete Streets policy, which required growing a diverse coalition called the SC Livable Communities Alliance, including 25 mayors and dozens of state and local organizations. In 2012, 2017, and 2023, we hosted statewide Bike / Walk / Trail Summits to grow local movements. This coming year, we will lead growth of local bike/walk/trail movements with our Livable Streets Academy and the 2024 BikeWalkTrails Summit, and we will advance our legislative agenda with a statewide grassroots movement.

Testimonials

Our organization made a difference in the Midlands by successfully advocating for SCDOT's complete streets policy. We removed the state barriers to many funding streams and design approvals for sidewalks and bike lanes and more innovative designs and smaller policies. All of this trickled down to improve the chances local initiatives find success in funding their local infrastructure projects that improve opportunities for active living and alternative transportation choices.